I found this story just fascinating: A gold and stone necklace was found in Peru that is now thought to be the oldest ever discovered in the Americas--600 years before the former record holder. Unearthed near Lake Titicaca by a team of anthropologists, the necklace is thought to be 4,000 years old.
Mark Aldenderfer, a member of the team, was shocked when he saw the glint of gold among an excavation site with human remains. Although it was actually found seven years ago, the time in between has been used for analysis and to keep the site hidden from looters.
According to the team, the necklace symbolizes a desire for status symbols in a time that still didn't have formal leadership or anything resembling royalty.
If you're drawn to high-karat gold and an ancient aesthetic, definitely click here to check out pieces from Gurhan, a Turkish deisgner based in the States who uses 24-karat gold. Another good bet? Click here to see designs from Ilias Lalaounis, whose ornate treasures will alwazs remain keepsakes.
